Sexy Basques: A History Of Sexy Costumes And Elegance

Many women love to wear sexy costumes. From an elegantly
sensual basque to an exotic bustier, sexy costumes are a
terrific way to spice up the bedroom. Some basques and bustiers
can even be worn as outerwear, offering a daring choice for a
night out. Basques and bustiers have been around for many
centuries, although they have adapted and changed over the
years. Provided here is a brief guide to the history of these
beautiful and sexy costumes.

Corsets

Both basques and bustiers developed out of the corset. Corsets
first came into vogue in the 16th century. By the Victorian era,
they were all the rage. Victorian women wanted their waists to
appear as small as possible, and the era of tightlacing was
born. At the time, corsets were not considered sexy costumes,
but simple required undergarments. Girls received their first
corsets at a very young age and wore them all of their lives.

Victorian corsets were longer than those of earlier eras,
flaring over the hips and extending several inches down from the
waist. This shape became extremely popular, and soon other
clothing items adapted the shape.

Basques

Basques were originally Victorian-era jackets that mimicked the
shape of the corset. The jackets were tightly fitted and
extended past the hips, flaring out to accommodate a bustle.

Over time, fashions changed. Corsets began to fall out of favor
in the 1910s, as the rational dress movement took over.
Gradually bras and girdles took the place of the corset. Basques
fell out of fashion as women stopped wearing bustles and
waistlines crept upward.

Merry Widows

By the 1920s, traditional corsets were all but unheard of. The
late 1940s, however, saw a revival of the corset. The corsets of
the 1940s were known as merry widows, and were much shorter than
traditional corsets. This was the first time that the garments
were introduced specifically as sexy costumes.

Although merry widows were a brief phenomenon, their
introduction set the stage for the use of basques and bustiers
as sexy costumes. Women were beginning to enjoy their own
sexuality, although it was still strictly behind closed doors.

The 1980s

By the 1980s, fetish wear was in. Following the freewheeling
1960s and 1970s, 1980s-era mainstream entertainers enjoyed
nearly unprecedented freedom of expression. Trendsetters such as
Madonna began the underwear-as-outwear craze. Sexy costumes
escaped the bedroom and began to appear across the country.

Today's basques and bustiers are largely rooted in the fetish
trends of the 1980s and 1990s. Largely modeled after
Victorian-era corsetry, as well as the Victorian basque jacket,
today's basques and bustiers range from mild to wild.

A supportive choice to wear underneath backless dresses, the
strapless bustier is especially popular. However, more exotic
bustier and basque choices are also available, including largely
see-through pieces that are perfect for bedroom wear.

The bustiers and basques of today are designed to resemble the
corsetry of the past. Modern materials ensure a subtle body
shaping without the compression of the past. Blending
functionality with exotic and beautiful designs, these sexy
costumes are wonderful for a myriad of occasions.


About The Author: Amanda Cotterill has been involved in the
erotic lingerie uk market for many years. This article outlines
the benefits of women wearing sexy costumes of the type shown on
http://www.maryjanelingerie.co.uk/basques_bustiers/. Please
include this credit if you use this article.